Chapter 5 - Victor's Last Move
Roman moved Elena to his penthouse that evening.
She hated the idea.
"This feels like hiding."
"It is hiding."
"You promised—"
"I promised I'd listen. I didn't promise I'd agree."
Elena stood at the window overlooking the city.
"How dangerous is Victor?"
"Desperate."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the worst answer."
Roman walked toward her.
"He has money, connections, and nothing left to lose."
"And he's blaming me."
"He's blaming everyone except himself."
Elena folded her arms.
"What happens when they catch him?"
"He goes to prison."
"Not one of your basements?"
Roman stared.
"Do you think I have basements specifically for people?"
She raised an eyebrow.
Roman sighed.
"Don't answer that."
She laughed.
For a few seconds, everything felt normal.
Then the penthouse lights went out.
Roman instantly changed.
"Elena."
She stopped smiling.
"What?"
"Come here."
Emergency lights flickered on.
Sal's voice sounded through Roman's phone.
"Security breach. Service elevator."
Roman guided Elena toward the reinforced bedroom.
"Inside."
"What about you?"
"Inside."
"I'm not leaving you—"
"Elena."
His voice softened.
"Please."
That word changed everything.
She entered.
Roman locked the door.
Minutes passed.
Then ten.
Elena heard voices outside.
No gunshots.
No screaming.
Just movement.
Then silence.
A knock.
"Elena."
Roman.
She opened the door.
His shirt collar was torn, but he appeared unharmed.
"What happened?"
"We caught one of Victor's men downstairs."
"Victor?"
"Not here."
Sal entered.
"Because he's at the Regency."
Elena went still.
"What?"
"Police surrounded the hotel five minutes ago."
Roman looked at Sal.
"How do you know?"
"Patrick called."
Elena grabbed her coat.
Roman blocked her.
"Absolutely not."
"Roman."
"He wants you there."
"Probably."
"That's exactly why you're not going."
Elena stared at him.
Then said quietly:
"If he gets arrested while I'm hiding in your bedroom, he'll spend the rest of his life believing he scared me."
Roman's face tightened.
"I don't care what he believes."
"I do."
"Why?"
"Because I spent years letting men like him decide how small I should make myself."
She stepped closer.
"I'm done."
Roman stared at her.
"You are the most exhausting woman I've ever met."
"Are we going?"
"No."
"Roman."
"No."
Twenty minutes later, they were in the car.
Elena looked at him.
"I knew you'd change your mind."
"I haven't."
"Then why are we going?"
"Because apparently I've lost control of my life."
Sal spoke from the front.
"That happened in the alley, Boss."
Roman glared at the mirror.
---
The Regency was surrounded by police vehicles and reporters.
Victor stood inside the lobby.
Through the glass doors, Elena could see him.
He saw her.
His expression twisted.
Roman stepped in front of her.
"You stay behind me."
"No."
"Elena."
"Beside you."
Roman looked at her.
Then nodded.
"Beside me."
They walked toward the entrance together.
Victor shouted through the glass.
"This is your fault!"
Elena stopped.
Roman said quietly:
"You don't owe him an answer."
"I know."
She stepped closer to the glass.
"No, Victor."
His face tightened.
"You did this."
Police moved toward him.
"You ruined me!"
"You ruined yourself."
Victor was taken away minutes later.
No mafia war.
No bodies in the street.
Just handcuffs, cameras, witnesses, and seven women who had finally been believed.
Outside, Elena stood beneath the hotel awning.
Rain had begun falling again.
Roman approached.
"You okay?"
She looked at the rain.
"The last time I stood outside in weather like this, I thought my life was over."
Roman stood beside her.
"And now?"
Elena looked at him.
May you like
"Now I think it was starting."
---
